LIV Golf has announced that it will be letting go of the bulk of its workforce starting next week, while negotiations continue to secure the organization’s long‑term viability. The decision follows the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) declaration that its financial support will cease at the end of the 2026 season, compelling the league to trim its staff regardless of whether any new investment deals are sealed. According to an internal memo delivered earlier this week, the majority of employees who were hired under the current "LIV 1.0" structure will see their contracts terminated in the first week of September. The communication follows an earlier warning in July that redundancies were a distinct possibility.
The league, which once employed more than 300 people across the globe, has not yet determined the exact headcount it will need for any future incarnation of the brand. Nevertheless, senior executives remain hopeful that a portion of the workforce could be rehired if a revamped version of the competition—dubbed "LIV 2.0"—gets off the ground. A spokesperson for LIV Golf told Sky Sports, "The funding commitment announced by PIF earlier this year will reach its conclusion.
As a result, we are scaling back operations as we transition to the next chapter of LIV Golf and work toward making LIV 2.0 a reality." The spokesperson added, "This week we informed many of our colleagues that their employment under LIV 1.0 will end in the first week of September. We are grateful to our employees for their hard work and dedication in building LIV Golf, and we remain committed to supporting those affected through this transition." The league’s season wrapped up a week ahead of schedule after the Team Championship in Michigan was cancelled.
At a press event in Indianapolis, chief executive Scott O'Neil expressed optimism that fresh capital could be secured, allowing the organization to move forward. While the exact terms of any new financing remain unsettled, LIV Golf is reportedly in talks with a potential lead investor as well as several minority partners. The term sheet that would fund the next season is currently non‑binding and has yet to be finalized.
Proposed models for the future include a structure in which players hold a majority ownership stake and the organization adopts a stricter "commercial discipline" framework. Under this vision, the league could feature five Team Championships spread across five continents, complemented by five Signature Events that would sit alongside the traditional majors. Such a format aims to preserve the global, team‑oriented ethos that distinguished LIV Golf while addressing concerns about financial sustainability. Prominent players have voiced their perspectives on the uncertain future.
Ahead of the season finale, Bryson DeChambeau urged fans and stakeholders to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded," emphasizing the need for patience as the league navigates its challenges. Similarly, Ian Poulter lamented the prospect of the league folding, calling it "a real shame" if the venture cannot continue. The cancellation of the Team Championship also opened the door for late entries into the Husqvarna British Masters. Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, who entered the tournament after the cancellation, declined to speculate about his own playing schedule.
In a pre‑tournament press conference he said, "I would expect there to be LIV next season. I know they've worked really hard to get the funding and stuff in place, so I know it's full steam ahead on that front." When asked about his personal calendar, Hatton replied, "To be honest, I haven't thought about that – I've got enough to worry about with playing golf for the rest of the year. I've still got multiple years left in my contract with LIV and I've got plenty of tournaments this year, so there's nothing really to focus on other than the golf." The broader golf community is watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast LIV Golf events, and fans can stream the action without a contract through the NOW platform.
As the league navigates this period of transition, the central question remains whether a viable financial model can be secured to launch LIV 2.0 and retain the talent and staff that have been integral to its existence. In summary, LIV Golf is undergoing a significant restructuring phase driven by the imminent withdrawal of PIF funding. While most employees will see their roles end in early September, the organization is actively exploring new investment avenues and alternative ownership structures. The ultimate goal is to emerge with a leaner, more financially disciplined operation that can sustain a global schedule of team and individual events.
The next few months will be critical in determining whether LIV Golf can successfully reinvent itself and continue to compete on the world stage.